Aircraft Structure Reinforcement Using Segmented Dual-Strap System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft structures require reinforcement during retrofit or repair procedures, but existing methods using high-strength steel reinforcing straps are prone to low toughness and rapid crack propagation, leading to increased maintenance frequency and downtime.
Innovation Solution
The use of a dual-layer reinforcing strap system, where a first strap is attached to the structural component and a second strap is attached to the first strap, providing redundancy and allowing for crack detection during inspection without compromising load capacity, with the second strap being thicker and taller than the first to ensure visibility and maintain structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a single reinforcing strap is used to reinforce the structural component, then the reinforcement provides sufficient load capacity, but a crack in the strap can propagate rapidly due to low toughness of high-strength steel material
Solution Approach 1:
The single reinforcing strap is divided into multiple separate straps (first reinforcing strap and second reinforcing strap) that are attached in sequence. This segmentation ensures that a crack in one strap cannot propagate into the other straps, providing independent crack containment while maintaining the required load capacity through the combined strength of multiple straps.
2Volume of moving object
If high-strength steel material is used for the reinforcing strap, then the strap size is reduced for the same load, but the toughness is low leading to rapid crack propagation
Solution Approach 1:
The high-strength steel reinforcement is segmented into multiple straps, allowing the use of high-strength material (for compact size) while the segmentation itself provides crack propagation resistance. The multiple straps work together to maintain the required strength while preventing catastrophic failure from a single crack.
3Reliability
If multiple reinforcing straps are used to provide redundancy and prevent crack propagation, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement system is segmented into a specific number of straps (at least two) attached in sequence, providing the necessary redundancy and crack propagation resistance. This segmented approach achieves improved reliability while keeping the complexity manageable through a systematic arrangement of multiple identical components.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an aircraft structure comprising a structural component and a set of reinforcing straps for reinforcing the structural component, wherein the set comprises a first reinforcing strap having an inner and outer surface, wherein the inner surface is attached to a first surface of the structural component such that the first reinforcing strap extends longitudinally along the structural component and a second reinforcing strap having an inner and outer surface, wherein the inner surface is attached to the outer surface of the first reinforcing strap such that the second reinforcing strap extends longitudinally along the first reinforcing strap. The invention also provides an aircraft, a method of reinforcing an aircraft structure and a method of inspecting an aircraft structure.